Best Snowboarding Pants 2019 (The Ultimate Buyers Guide)

It’s great that you are coo-coo about snowboarding. But before you run off to descend the snowy mountain slopes, it’s important that you gear up. Invest in a chic and beautiful board and a pair of goggles that’ll show off your personality. Also, it’s essential that you keep warm while on the slopes.

Now, picking out snowboard pants may not be a fun and sexy process. But despite this, they are essential. Without snowboard pants, you’ll be in for a cold and long day. Heck, you might find yourself scampering back to the warm lodge sooner than you had anticipated.

You see, snowboarding pants are designed to keep your legs warm and to keep the snow from getting into unwanted places. But some surpass these basic functions and include a host of other features that make them functional and super stylish.

Needless to say, the industry is full of snowboard pants – enough to make your head spin in confusion. Luckily for you, we’ve done the heavy lifting. We’ve gone through the various options and handpicked the best snowboard pants available. If you plan on having a great time on the snowy slopes, then we advise that you read this piece to the end and pick a pair that meets your fancy.

How We Rate the Best Snowboard Pants

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the best snowboard pants, it’s crucial that we let you in on the criteria we used to rate the pants. Now, you are aware that all snowboard pants are made differently, right? But just how different are they? And which features are a must-have when picking the best snowboard pants?

Waterproofing

Snow is frozen water. So it makes sense that snowboard pants would be made waterproof. However, waterproofing in these pants is not as straight forward like it is with tech gadgets and other clothes like raincoats. While high-quality snowboard pants are water resistant even when subjected to high pressures, the fabric eventually gives in and starts to leak. So in a sense, snowboard pants are not unconditionally waterproof. Why?

Well, waterproof materials are designed to prevent entry and exit of liquids. So while you could snowboard with a thick raincoat made from rubber, at the end of your snowboarding session, you’ll be soaking wet from your own sweat. Sounds nasty, right? The trick is to strike a perfect balance between letting perspiration pass through and protecting your legs from the weather elements.

The best fabrics are Dry.Q, FlashDry, and eVent. When checking on waterproofing ability, check the rating stamped on the pants. The waterproofing rating is offered in mm. The higher the number, the higher the water resistance.

Most snowboard pants range between 0 and 20,000mm. So, say you come across pants with a waterproof rating of about 15,000mm. If you place a 1×1 square tube over the fabric, you can fill it up to about 15,000mm before it starts to leak.

Past this, things get complicated and very scientific. So we won’t bore you with the unnecessary waterproof tech jargon. All you need to know to buy a great pair of pants is that a higher rating means the fabric is less likely to leak.

We recommend getting snowboard pants with a waterproof rating of about 5,000mm. But if you frequent the mountain slopes and snowboard hard, then anything above 10,000mm is excellent.

Breathability

Now, you are probably thinking that a high waterproofing rating equals low breathability. Well, while that might be true with other materials like rubber, it’s not the case with the materials used to make snowboard pants. And actually, the two concepts are different and distinct

Breathability rating (BR) is measured in grams. A high rating means you are less likely to get soaked in your sweat. A high BR rating translates to more water vapor passing through the fabric from the inside. We’ll put it into perspective to help you understand it better.

When you pick pants with a 20,000 gram BR rating, it means that the fabric will allow evaporation of 20,000 grams of sweat in 24 hours. This is the reason why manufacturers are working around the clock crafting materials with high BR and WR rating. They are looking to strike a balance between waterproofing and breathability. How awesome are they?

Features

This is where we get the clever stuff. Different manufacturers are trying different things. After all, they are all in the race for being the industry leaders. For consumers, this is a great thing as you’ll always find what you are looking for.

Some of the features include:

Venting – some snowboarding pants have zippered vents. The vents are opened to dump heat and improve air circulation when you start feeling too hot. Most vents are placed on the inner thigh. To prevent stray snow from gaining access to unwanted areas, they are protected by a functional mesh lining.

Jacket-pant connection – some brands have an elaborate system that will allow you to connect your jacket to the pants (if they are compatible). How cool is this? This further increases protection from stray snow that could otherwise work its way down your snowboard pants or up the jacket.

Pockets

These are pretty obvious. But even so, it’s important to consider them. For instance, if you snowboard with a backpack, then you don’t need the extra pockets. But if you are going to be exploring all day and don’t want a bag to weigh you down, then cargo pockets would be beneficial to carry essentials and snacks.

With all that said, it’s important to remember that the number of features included affects the price of the pants. For this reason, always check to ensure you don’t pay for features you’ll never use. But aside from that, you can pick out any pants that you fancy.

Style

Now, let’s be honest. A pair of snowboard pants may have the best WR/BR rating, great features and all. But if it doesn’t look good or suit your style, it’ll probably end up in the back of your closet never to be worn. So instead of investing in a pair of perfect and expensive snowboard pants that you’ll never wear, get one that suits your style.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #1 - Dope Snow Iconic

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

8.5/10

Price Range

€139.9

Like its name, this pair of Dope pants is truly iconic. You’ll definitely set the trend with these pants. Dope maintained its signature style by having just the right amount of baggy and skinny design, but upped the pants function and performance.

The iconic look is achieved through the relaxed thigh, dropped crotch and conventional leg design. For a long time, it seemed almost impossible to achieve a perfect balance of style and performance, but Dope hacked it.

If you are one of those who feels backpacks are an inconvenience, you’ll love the cargo pockets in this pant’s design. In total, these Iconic pants have six pockets with secure locking.

Its fabric has a waterproofing rating of 15,000mm and a breathability rating of 15,000g which helps to keep you dry while on the slopes. This is a pretty good balance. Complementing the breathability of the pants are meshed vents located on the inner thighs. These vents will cool things off for you on those hot days.

It’s also important to note that these pants come in a range of colors, including blue and gray.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #2 - Montec Dune

Waterproof Rating

Breathability Rating

Features Rating

8/10

Price Range

€149.9

If you are looking for more color and pattern, the Montec Dune pants are your best bet. But here’s the good news. These pants have a lot more to offer than just color.

Montec designers worked hard to achieve optimal breathability and waterproofing. Check this out. These Montech Dune pants feature a waterproof rating of 20,000mm and a breathability rating of 15,000g. Quite impressive, huh?. To complement the breathability, the pants also feature vents on the inner thighs.

Moreover, it has a 2/3 insulation rating. This insulation is complemented by thick padding which provides more warmth without weighing you down. This makes the pants a formidable force against harsh weather.

What about style? Well, first, Montec Dune pants are designed in a regular fit. Second, they are packed with pockets and handy detailing which add style and function to it. The pants feature two large pockets on the front, back, and legs. For security, these pockets are zipped.

Last but not least, to ensure a perfect fit, the pants feature a built-in belt. However, when you pick the right size, the pants will fit comfortably without the belt.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #3 - Dope Snow Hoax II

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€139.9

If you are looking for a casual look, then these pants are perfect for you. You can tell that the Dope Snow Hoax II is created with comfort in mind. But what’s even more intriguing is how Dope included many small features to give the Snow Hoax II a high-tech and functional feel. How did they achieve this?

For starters, Dope used its new fabric to piece together this pair of pants. And boy did this new tech pay off? The material will keep you warm and dry even in extreme conditions. It features a membrane that activates as your physical activity increases. So essentially, the harder you work on those slopes, the more efficient the fabric becomes. The membrane is recorded to have a Martindale score of 100,000 cycles. This means that not only will it keep you dry, but it will serve you for a long time.

It sounds like tech from the future, right?

The waterproofing and breathability ratings are 15,000mm and 15,000g. But in addition to this, the fabric is windproof!

These pants also include darts in their knees, which help to improve the shape and mobility. They ensure the pants don’t limit your movement as you cruise down the snowy mountainsides.

Other features worth noting include an adjustable waist for a perfect fit, snow locker at the leg opening for improved snow protection and belt loops where you can attach suspenders or pass a belt through.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #4 - Picture Styler

Waterproof Rating

10K

Breathability Rating

10K

Features Rating

6/10

Price Range

€209.99

It’s true, we live in a polluted world. And unfortunately, we are adding to the pollution every day. Most people are often content with the guilty feeling that weigh them down and blogging about it. But how about you do something about it? What can you do, you ask? It’s easy – invest in a pair of Picture Styler pants.

These pants are designed from recycled, environmentally friendly material. The result is a pair of pants with a WR/BR rating of 10,000mm and 10,000g respectively. Moreover, the material is also windproof and is insulated.

As for its design, the pants are a baggy fit, bright and upbeat. They have cargo and side pockets, a ventilation system complete with a mesh lining and zipper, and taped seams.

Given the use of recycled material, you should not bleach, tumble dry or dry clean the pants. The good old-fashioned method of cleaning will have to do with these pants.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #5 - Dope Antek Snow Pants

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

8/10

Price Range

€159.9

The design of these pants is derived from the shell pants. This means that you can wear the Antek Snow Pants in any weather. It doesn’t matter whether it’s cold or warm, urban or snow – you can rock them. You only need to adjust its layers to the current temperatures and viola!

For Dope to implement this function, it means that they first had to strike a perfect balance between weatherproofing and breathability – which they did. In fact, the ratings are 15,000mm and 15,000g respectively.

For improved breathing performance, the pants have zipped vents on the side. To help you achieve a better fit (we know you hate exposing too much while skating), Dope has thrown in an integrated belt.

Men’s Snowboard Pants #6 - Adidas Snowboarding Slop Track

Waterproof Rating

5K

Breathability Rating

5K

Features Rating

6/10

Price Range

€89.9

Adidas is a famous brand. It’s known for its sportswear. The Slop Track looks like the pants you’d buy for a running track. But, they are modified to serve you on the mountainsides. Being an Adidas product, you expect nothing but high function from these pants. Luckily, Adidas doesn’t disappoint.

With a waterproofing and breathability rating of 5,000mm and 5,000g, these pants will serve you well even on the hot days. Its meshed ripstop complements breathability while its elastic waist makes it comfortable. The waist is coupled with an adjustable belt for a perfect fit.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #1 - Dope Snow Iconic W

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€139.9

Now, ladies, flexibility, and style are super important when choosing snowboard pants. Unfortunately, with most brands, you are forced to choose one over the other. But today, you are in luck! The Dope Snow Iconic W has got you covered. It has impeccable style and impressive flexibility. Ladies you’ve got to hear this – the Dope Iconic W snowboard pants stretch.

What’s more, they are insulated with the new Dope thick padding. This padding takes up minimal space, has excellent breathability and provides extra warmth. But just in case you are feeling too hot, they feature vents with zippers to let off some steam.

The pants also include zipped pockets. These ensure that your items are safe at all times. It’s also worth noting that the pockets are lined with microfleece. Therefore, your hands will be warm and cozy while they are in your pocket.

The waterproofing and breathability ratings are 15,000mm and 15,000g respectively.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #2 - Dope Snow Con

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€139.9

Like the Iconic W, the Con snow pants are stretchy and padded for extra insulation. They have a waterproof rating of 15,000mm and a breathability rating of 15,000g. To complement breathability and allow you to blow off some steam when you are feeling extra hot, they have zipped vents on the inner thighs.

They have zipped back and side pockets to ensure your belongings are safe. But since the pants hug your curves, there are limited items you can store in them without giving up comfort.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #3 - Dope Snow Grace

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

8/10

Price Range

€139.9

Are you feeling adventurous? If yes, then these pants are for you. They’ll feed your adventurous side in a laid back manner. The waist on these pants are dropped, and the raise is low (sits on your hips). Overall, the pants have a clean and relaxed style. You can adjust the waist to have them up tight or baggy; that’s entirely up to you.

To keep your essentials safe, these pants have several pockets. The main pockets on the side are zipped and lined with a warm microfleece to increase insulation. On the other hand, the cargo pockets are protected from the snow.

The seams are fully taped, and the WR/BR ratings are 15,000mm/15,000g.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #4 - Dope Snow Tigress

Waterproof Rating

15K

Breathability Rating

15K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€139.9

Tigresses are not cats you should mess with. They will eat you up.

While this Snow Tigress might not tear you to pieces, it definitely means business. These pants are designed with function and style in mind. Since it’s a shell pant, you can use it in any weather. You simply have to adjust the layers accordingly. And given that it’s made from stretchy material, it will not restrict your movements.

Note: the ‘stretch’ feature doesn’t compromise the taped seams, waterproofing, and breathability. Speaking of which, these pants have a waterproofing and breathability rating of 15,000mm and 15,000g.

With the slim fit design, you can rock them with sneakers or regular snowboarding shows.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #5 - Roxy Winterbreak

Waterproof Rating

10K

Breathability Rating

10K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€154.9

Roxy uses its DryFlight technology to provide better waterproofing with these pants. The waterproofing rating is about 10,000mm, and the breathability 5,000g. In addition to this, it features the ROXY WarmFlight x2 tech, which increases warmth without building its bulk.

The pants are made from polyester twill weave and have a straight fit. They feature a jacket to pant attachments, waist adjustment, taffeta boot gaiters, and front and back pockets.

The seams are critically taped, and the hem lift-up system is well designed to keep you protected from snow.

Women’s Snowboard Pants #6 - WearColour Cork

Waterproof Rating

10K

Breathability Rating

10K

Features Rating

7/10

Price Range

€159.95

If you are a bold lady and are looking for pants to match your boldness, then give these pants a shot. They are designed from 100% Polyester oxford and tasian. They come in colors black leo, grape, and white and sand (made from 100% polyester mechanical). The material is stretchy.

The pants are also articulated on the knees and have meshed vents with zippers. On the waist, they have adjustable straps with Velcro reinforcing.

As for waterproofing and breathability, the ratings are 10,000mm and 10,000g respectively.

How to Choose the Best Snowboarding Pants

Now that we have gone through some of the best snowboard pants on the market, here are some tips to help you choose the right snowboard pants for you:

Durability

It would be regrettable if you bought a pair of snowboard jeans only for them to fall apart after a few weeks of use. And believe it or not, this happens to a lot of people. To avoid being part of this statistic, you should always check on the material used to make the pants.

Moreover, you should consider the build and construction of the pants as well as the warranty. The type of warranty offered can shed some light on the durability of the pants.

Another great way to determine the quality of snowboard pants (especially when purchasing online) is going through consumer reviews before making a purchase.

Warmth and Insulation

Most newbies think that since they’ll be gliding on snow, then the jacket and pants need to be warm. Well, that’s not entirely true. How warm the snowboard pants should vary from one person to the other. This is why some pants have microfleece lining for extra insulation and others don’t. You see, when snowboarding, the most significant part to keep warm is your core.

However, if you are the kind who freezes fast, then you should wear mid and base layer thermal leggings.

Zips and Vents

Almost all snowboard pants come with vents on the inner thighs. These vents are designed to increase air circulation and to regulate temperature during the warmer days and when you are going extra hard and generating a lot of body heat. They complement the breathability of the pants.

For smooth operation, these vents are zipped. Additionally, they are lined with a mesh to prevent specks of snow from finding their way into your pants.

Pants designed for technical backcountry snowboarding have vents on the outside of the thighs along the length of the pants. They are longer and promote maximum ventilation.

Waterproof

First, we need you to understand that when companies speak about ‘waterproof’ what they truly mean is ‘water resistant’. That said, you cannot afford to compromise on this. Why? Well, regardless of your snowboarding style, ability and crew, there is a high chance you’ll spend some significant amount of time seated in the snow or worse still, crashing through the snow.

You might not know it now, but there’s nothing as bad as snowboarding with a wet butt when it’s not even raining. And even if it is raining, waterproof pants will help keep you dry through the rain to a certain degree.

Some important features that we skipped earlier on were critical seams vs. fully taped seams. These features, along with the material used will determine the level of waterproofing. Pants with fully taped seams will have every seam reinforced to promote water resistance. The process is intensive, and as such, these pants are expensive. Critical seams, on the other hand, mean that only seams located in parts that will suffer significant wear and tear are reinforced.

Types of Snowboard Pants

Here are some of the main types of snowboard pants that you can choose from, depending on the mountain you frequent and your style:

Uninsulated Pants

These are also known as shell pants. They are usually windproof and waterproof. These types of pants are made from thick nylon since nylon is durable and abrasion resistant. These pants can further be divided into three-layer and two-layer pants.

The two-layer pants have a breathable liner and a water-resistant outer material while three-layer pants feature a membrane between these two layers.

Insulated pants

Most newbies often assume that these are the best pants to purchase. But they are wrong. Here’s why. When snowboarding, unless you freeze fast, you’ll almost never feel the cold on your legs. As such, these pants are only necessary during frigid weather.

Insulated pants have different warmth ratings and thicknesses. These range from polar-explorer to bare minimum insulations. It’s often a challenge to manage temperature levels when snowboarding. And unfortunately, this can get uncomfortable fast.

Softshell pants

Though these are not a category on their own, it is important to point them out. Softshell pants are made from less durable and lighter material. They also have lower waterproof ratings. For this reason, if you are a beginner and will be crashing a lot, you should prepare yourself to get wet fast.

But there is an upside to these pants. They offer excellent breathability and flexibility in comparison to thicker snowboard pants.

Suspenders

We know you think these will make you look like an old grandpa descending a mountain – but no. Actually, snowboarders have fallen in love with these pants for their protection and style. These pants stay up even after you’ve crashed many times. Also, they don’t allow snow to get into your pants since they have no waistline.

But while they are loved and popular, before you buy one, you should ensure that it’s the right size. If not, and this goes for the men, the straps will pull up your pants and make your ‘twins’ super uncomfortable.

Boot Gaiters

These are a must-have. All snowboard pants have boot gaiters. In case you are wondering what those are, they are the elastic cuffs located on each leg. They are designed to stretch over your snowboard boots to prevent snow from finding its way into your boots.

Pockets

Most women’s snowboard pants feature small pockets. Sure, they reduce bulkiness, but in the grand scheme of things, they are not ideal for storage. Pants with thigh or cargo pockets are more convenient for essential items you’ll use while on the mountain.

Jacket to Pants Connections

Some snowboard pants feature a system that connects the pants to the jacket. However, to use these systems, the jacket and pants must be compatible. This feature creates a snow barrier. It makes your jacket and pants behave like a one-piece suit.

Best Snowboard Pants Brands

Dope Snow – This is a company that is taking the snowboard apparel industry by storm. It has fresh and functional products

Adidas – Adidas is a renowned athletic and footwear company that’s making huge ripples in the snowboard pants industry

Burton – What can we say about such a big and reputable brand? They manufacture some of the best snowboard pants

Picture – This company makes functional and stylish snowboard pants from recycled and eco-friendly materials

Volcom – Volcom is famous for its diverse line of outdoor apparels. Its snowboard pants are decent and affordably priced

The North Face – Their pants feature innovative waterproofing and insulating technologies to keep you dry and warm

Some Common Questions

What size of snowboard pants should I get?

Well, honestly, baggy pants have their pros and con even though most feel that baggy snowboard pants are a thing of the past.

They are loved because they offer a wider range of motion. But on the flip side, the baggy pants could fall off at any time.

So what should you do? Well, we recommend that you first get the waist measurements right. If you’ll be wearing some layering clothes, you should consider that as well. When the waist measurements are right, the pants will stay in place.

What materials are best for snowboard pants?

Nylon and polyester are the most common and preferred choices.

This is because nylon is durable, and when woven in the right patterns, it is waterproof. We love the fact that it is windproof as well.

However, polyester is also a great option. Though it doesn’t last as long as nylon, it is functional and serves its purpose. Since it readily absorbs moisture, it’s not the best material for those looking for pants with a high waterproof rating.

Which should I choose? A suspenders or a belt?

Suspenders might make you look like a dork, but they are functional. For those having problems keeping their pants up, it works like a charm.

But even then, we recommend first getting the right size of the pants. This way, they will fit perfectly. You might even end up not needing suspenders or belts.

Wrapping Up

Ultimately, the decision of which snowboard pants to buy lies with you. But we hope that this guide has left you with a better idea of what to look for and which features would be overkill for you.

And as you make your choice, remember to factor in your personal preferences. There’s no point in getting the best snowboard pants if you’ll not feel comfortable and confident in them.